ISLAMABAD: Contrary to past practice, Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has issued permanent licences to a number of foreign doctors for practice.

The defunct Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) used to issue provisional or temporary registration to foreigners who needed extension of their stay in the country for their studies or to practice medicine.

According to documents, available with Dawn, licences have been issued to Abdullah son of Alozai (registration number 3752-F), Ihsan Syed son of Kamar (registration number 4229-F), Nasir Ali Rahim Najjad (registration number 3336-F), Idris Cekmez (registration number 3642-F), Abdifitah Bashir Omar (registration number 4234-F) apart from others.

A former official of the council, requesting not to be quoted, said in the past permanent licences were not issued to foreigners.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2021